Administration of mucuna beans (Mucuna pruriences (L.) DC. var. utilis) improves cognition and neuropathology of 3 × Tg-AD mice

Sci Rep. 2022 Jan 19;12(1):996. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-04777-z.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid-beta peptides (Aβ) resulting in senile plaques and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau protein resulting in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Mucuna beans (Mucuna pruriences (L.) DC. var. utilis) are unique plants containing 3-9% L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). Here we investigated the effect of the administration of Mucuna beans on AD prevention by feeding triple-transgenic mice (3 × Tg-AD mice) with a diet containing Mucuna beans for 13 months. The levels of Aβ oligomers and detergent-insoluble phosphorylated tau decreased in the brain of mice fed with Mucuna beans (Mucuna group) compared to those of the Control group. Aβ accumulation and phosphorylated tau accumulation in the brain in the Mucuna group were also reduced. In addition, administration of Mucuna beans improved cognitive function. These results suggest that administration of Mucuna beans may have a preventive effect on AD development in 3 × Tg-AD mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / analysis
  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects*
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Levodopa / analysis
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mucuna / chemistry*
  • tau Proteins / analysis

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • tau Proteins
  • Levodopa